A global shipping strategist, an education innovator, and a director of a cattle and cropping farm are among the finalists for the 2014 Telstra Western Australian Business Women’s Awards.

In this year’s list, the mining and resources sector made up almost a third of the 27 finalists.

Representing the powerhouse industry are Jillian Hoffman, mastermind of Woodside Energy’s strategy to govern the global shipping of liquefied natural gas, and Nicole Ashby, founder of FIFO Families, a support group for fly in fly out workers.

The Western Australian community and government sectors were also recognised. Rabia Siddique, the WA Police Commissioner's Legal Counsel who spent time as a UK terrorism and war crimes prosecutor; Glenda Kickett, Aboriginal Cultural Advisor at Centrecare and local chair of NAIDOC; and Jane King, Executive Director at the State Library of Western Australia Foundation were listed among the finalists.

The diversity of our 2014 West Australian finalists shines a light on Australian business women whose innovations and leadership are changing the industries and communities around them.

- Kate McKenzie, Telstra

Other finalists leading community change include Edith Cowan University’s Professor Cobie Rudd, who introduced simulation-based learning for health professionals that was adopted by nearly 40 Australian universities; and Jane Mauritz, director of cattle and cropping farm Hydillowah, who works to raise community awareness about suicide prevention in WA’s wheat belt.

“The 2014 West Australian finalists join a long list of incredible alumni who have inspired us with their individual achievements, and done so much collectively for the promotion of women in the Australian business world,” she said.

Vanessa Nolan-Woods, partner of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, General Manager of Commonwealth Bank’s Women in Focus network, said they are proud to be a part of the Awards,

“Women in Focus is proud of our partnership with the Telstra Awards, and the role we have played together to create a supportive network of women to inspire future trailblazers,” she said.

Finalists for the 2014 Telstra West Australian Business Women’s Awards are:

National awards announcement

Winners of the 2014 Telstra Western Australian Business Women’s Awards were announced on Tuesday 10 October in Perth. The West Australian winners proceed to the national finals in Melbourne on 26 November.

For finalists across Australia the awards offer a chance to share in $650,000 in cash and prizes.

Be inspired by incredible Australian business women.

For more information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards click here.